ANIMAL CARE SANCTUARY REUNITES CAT MISSING FOR TEN YEARS WITH FAMILY

August 3021:122017

Animal Care Sanctuary reunites overjoyed sisters Rhiannon and Cadence Costley of Elmira, New York with long lost cat Jack.

Animal Care Sanctuary (ACS) in East Smithfield and Wellsboro, Pennsylvania had a surprise 50th anniversary gift this week, when a super-sleuthing Emily Blade, Director of Feline Care, discovered a way to track down out-of-date information on an animal’s microchip.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Costley of Elmira, New York lost their pet cat Jack some ten years ago. They searched for him extensively at the time, but without success. Nearly ten years later, they received a stunning call from Animal Care Sanctuary that ACS had their cat, safe and sound! He had been turned in by a good Samaritan who found him and recognized that he must be someone’s adored pet.

Joan Smith-Reese, Executive Director of ACS, was delighted that the owners were still in Elmira and were thrilled to plan a reunion with their lost cat. “We always urge pet owners to have microchips placed in their pets, even if they are indoor cats,” said Smith-Reese. “And we have invested in technology, which allows us to trace owners even after the original information on the microchip is out of date.”

There was a joyous reunion with the couple’s daughters, Cadence and Rhiannon Costley, and Jack purred his gratitude to be going home with them at last.

Executive Director Joan Smith-Reese said, “It is no small coincidence that Animal Care Sanctuary should reunite a pet with his owner after 10 years in the very year that we are celebrating our 50th anniversary as a no kill shelter! This remarkable story speaks to what we are and who we are in terms of saving the animal’s life then going the extra mile to ensure that it has a happy, healthy life.”

Award-winning Animal Care Sanctuary, ACS, of East Smithfield, PA, is one of the oldest and largest no kill shelters for companion animals in the nation. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, ACS is currently home to some 400 companion animals on any given day. Animal Care Sanctuary rescues, rehabilitates and adopts companion animals and provides continuing support for the people who care for them. In 2016, the shelter adopted 97% of all the animals it took in. ACS’ programs protect and improve the health and welfare of companion animals, prevent animal cruelty and overpopulation and promote responsible pet ownership through low-cost veterinary services, and community education.

About ACS:

Animal Care Sanctuary of East Smithfield and Wellsboro, PA is one of the oldest and largest no-kill sanctuaries for companion animals in the United States. Founded in 1967, the Animal Care Sanctuary is a national leader in the no-kill movement and a pioneer in innovative programming. We are committed to the humane treatment of all animals by saving and nurturing lives of homeless animals; adopting each one to a caring, well-matched, forever home; providing affordable wellness and spay/neuter clinics; providing community trap, neuter and return programs; celebrating the power of the human animal bond; providing humane education for the public at all levels; advocating laws to reduce cruelty to protect and save all animals; and advancing the highest standards in animal welfare.